The car basically takes the current Beetle (which was all new for 2012) and turns the roof into a folding soft top.

That top uses two motors to go up and down. It takes only 9.5 seconds to drop, and 11 seconds to go up. Volkswagen said the difference is needed for the top to automatically latch to the windshield.

Drivers don’t even need to be at a standstill to raise and lower the top. Volkswagen said the top can be moved at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour.

Under the hood, the convertible features the same three engine choices as the fixed-roof version. There is a 2.5-liter gasoline engine, a 2-liter turbocharged gas engine and a 2-liter direct-injection turbocharged diesel version.

There is a full array of options for comfort and technology, but Volkswagen will also offer special versions of the new Beetle Convertible honoring the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.

The new Beetle Convertible goes on sale in December with prices ranging from $25,000 to more than $32,000.

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